Methods, systems, and devices for providing service differentiation for different types of frames for video content

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, over a communication network, a plurality of requests for frames of video content to provide to a mobile device. Further embodiments can include determining a first portion of the plurality of requests are for pre-fetch frames of the video content, and providing, over the communication network, the pre-fetch frames to the mobile device over a default bearer path. Additional embodiments can include determining a second portion of the plurality of requests are for emergent frames of the video content, and providing, over the communication network, the emergent frames to the mobile device over a dedicated bearer path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to methods, systems, and devices forproviding service differentiation for different types of frames forvideo content.

BACKGROUND

Some types of video content are provided to a user's mobile devicewithout differentiating between different types of frames of the videocontent. This is typical for panoramic video content or 360 degree videocontent, in which frames (sometimes called pre-fetch frames) areprovided based on predicting the likelihood a user's perspective mayfollow a certain trajectory. If the prediction of the user's perspectiveis incorrect, the user's mobile device can request emergent frames ofthe video content for the current user's perspective. The same qualityof service is provided for both pre-fetch frames and emergent frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2E are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of systems functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 2F-2G depict illustrative embodiments of methods in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for receiving, over a communication network, a plurality ofrequests for frames of video content to provide to a mobile device.Further embodiments can include determining a first portion of theplurality of requests are for pre-fetch frames of the video content, andproviding, over the communication network, the pre-fetch frames to themobile device over a default bearer path. Additional embodiments caninclude determining a second portion of the plurality of requests arefor emergent frames of the video content, and providing, over thecommunication network, the emergent frames to the mobile device over adedicated bearer path. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor, and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. Operations includereceiving, over a communication network, a plurality of requests forframes of video content to provide to a mobile device. Furtheroperations comprise determining a first portion of the plurality ofrequests are for pre-fetch frames of the video content, and providing,over the communication network, the pre-fetch frames to the mobiledevice over a default bearer path. Additional operations comprisedetermining a second portion of the plurality of requests are foremergent frames of the video content, and providing, over thecommunication network, the emergent frames to the mobile device over adedicated bearer path.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations can include receiving, over a communicationnetwork, test packets from a mobile device over a candidate dedicatedbearer path, and generating a dedicated bearer path over the candidatededicated bearer path in response to identifying the test packetsreceived from the mobile device over the candidate dedicated bearerpath. Further operations can include receiving, over the communicationnetwork, a plurality of requests for frames of video content to provideto the mobile device. Additional operations can include determining afirst portion of the plurality of requests are for pre-fetch frames ofthe video content, and providing, over the communication network, thepre-fetch frames to the mobile device over a default bearer path. Also,operations can include determining a second portion of the plurality ofrequests are for emergent frames of the video content, and providing,over the communication network, the emergent frames to the mobile deviceover the dedicated bearer path.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can include receiving, by a processing system including aprocessor, over a communication network, a plurality of requests forframes of video content to provide to a mobile device. Further, themethod can include determining, by the processing system, a firstportion of the plurality of requests are for pre-fetch frames of thevideo content and determining, by the processing system, a secondportion of the plurality of requests are for emergent frames of thevideo content. In addition, the method can include obtaining, by theprocessing system, the pre-fetch frames from a video content server andobtaining, by the processing system, the emergent frames from the videocontent server. Also, the method can include placing, by the processingsystem, the pre-fetch frames on a first packet flow according to asubscription profile and placing, by the processing system, the emergentframes on a second packet flow according to the subscription profile. Asubscription profile repository adds the subscription profile for thevideo content, and the subscription profile includes a first packet flowspecification for the first packet flow carrying pre-fetch frames and asecond packet flow specification for the second packet flow carryingemergent frames. Further, the method can include providing, by theprocessing system, over the communication network, the pre-fetch framesto the mobile device over a default bearer path, and providing, by theprocessing system, over the communication network, the emergent framesto the mobile device over a dedicated bearer path.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in part providingemergent frames of video content over a dedicated bearer path on thecommunication network 100 and providing pre-fetch frames of the videocontent over a default bearer path on the communication network 100. Inparticular, a communications network 125 is presented for providingbroadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 via accessterminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voice access 130to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/ormedia access 140 to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 viamedia terminal 142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled toone or more content sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/orother media. While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voiceaccess 130 and media access 140 are shown separately, one or more ofthese forms of access can be combined to provide multiple accessservices to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receivemedia content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be providedvoice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIGS. 2A-2E are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of systems functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein. Referring toFIG. 2A, in one or more embodiments, system 200 includes a mobile device202, communicatively coupled to an edge server 206 over a communicationnetwork 204, and the edge server 206 communicatively coupled to a videocontent server 210 over a communication network 208. The mobile device202 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, virtualreality device, smartwatch, wearable device, a combination thereof, orany other computing device. The communication networks 204 and 208 canbe wireless communication networks, wired communication networks, or acombination of wireless and wired communication networks. In furtherembodiments, communication network 204 and communication network 208 canbe part of the same communication network. In some embodiments, the edgeserver 206 can obtain video content from the video content server 210over the communication network 208 and provide the video content to themobile device 202 over communication network 204. In some embodiments,the edge server 206 can be called a long-term evolution (LTE) entity orLTE network device. In further embodiments, the edge server 206 caninclude a policy and charging rules function (PCRF).

In one or more embodiments, a user of the mobile device 202 may requestvideo content from a video content server 210. Such video content can bepanoramic video content that can include 360 degree video content orless than 360 degree video content, or the video content can be virtualreality video content. Further, the video content comprises multipleframes. The mobile device 202 can detect the head movement of the userto predict a user's viewpoint of the video content to request frames forthe predicted viewpoint prior to the user adjusting her/his headmovement to the predicted viewpoint so that the playback of the videocontent is not paused or stalled waiting frames for the predicted (nowcurrent) user's viewpoint. In other embodiments, the mobile device cantake other information (e.g. video saliency, etc.) to predict a user'sviewpoint. The frames that are requested by the mobile device 202 for apredicted viewpoint can be called pre-fetch frames. The pre-fetch framesare stored by the mobile device 202 until the user adjusts her/his headmovement to the predicted viewpoint, at which time the mobile device 202presents the pre-fetch frames on the display of the mobile device 202.

In one or more embodiments, the user may adjust her/his head movement toa viewpoint that was not predicted. Thus, the mobile device 202 wouldnot have stored the frames of the video content of a current viewpointof the user and would need to request the frames of the currentviewpoint from the edge server 206 to provide the frames of the currentviewpoint immediately to present to the user. Such frames of the currentviewpoint that are not stored as pre-fetch frames and requested forimmediate delivery can be called emergent frames.

In one or more embodiments, the system 200 can differentiate betweenpre-fetch frames (or normal frames) and emergent frames to provide adifferent quality of service. This service differentiation can includeproviding the pre-fetch frames and the emergent frames on differentflows between the edge server 206 and the mobile device 202. Prior toreceiving requests for frames and providing these frames of the videocontent (e.g. pre-fetch frames, emergent frames, etc.), a default bearerpath 212 between the edge server 206 and the mobile device 202 over thecommunication network 204 can be set up or provisioned. Further, themobile device 202, prior to requesting and receiving the frames of thevideo content (e.g. pre-fetch frames, emergent frames, etc.) can sendtest packets to the edge server 206 and the edge server 206 may respondwith test response packets to establish, create, or generate a dedicatedbearer path 216. The exchange of the test packets and test responsepackets between the mobile device 202 and the edge server 206 can becalled a dedicated bearer path set up/provisioning process. In someembodiments, the exchange of the test packets and test response packetsto set up/provision the dedicated bear path 216 can be performed priorto a request for emergent frames. In further embodiments, the testpackets can be provided over the default bearer path or on a signalingbearer path to indicate a candidate dedicated bearer path(s) (thecandidate dedicated bearer path(s) can be indicated by the portnumber(s) of the mobile device 202 that can be used for possiblededicated bearer paths—all or some of the port numbers of the mobiledevice may be used 202 to generate or establish a group of dedicatedbearer paths, accordingly). Once the default bearer path 212 and thededicated bearer path are established or generated, the frames of thevideo content can be provided by the edge server 206 to the mobiledevice 202, accordingly. That is, requests for pre-fetch frames from themobile device 202 to the edge server 206 and pre-fetch frames from theedge server 206 to the mobile device 202 can be provided along thedefault bearer path 212. Further, requests for emergent frames from themobile device 202 to the edge server 206 and emergent frames from theedge server 206 to the mobile device 202 can be provided along thededicated bearer path 216. In some embodiments, as part of theestablishment or generation of the default bearer path 212 and thededicated bearer path 216, the default bearer path 212 is associatedwith one port on the mobile device 202 and the dedicated bearer path 216is associated with another port on the mobile device. In furtherembodiments, the mobile device 202 and the edge server 206 can generateor establish a group of dedicated bearer paths (as many as the mobiledevice 202 can support) and transmit emergent frames along any one ofthe group of dedicated bearer paths. For example, dedicated bearer path216 can be one of the group of dedicated bearer paths generated orestablished between the mobile device 202 and edge server 206.

The PCRF of the edge server 206 can inspect the packet (traffic) flowsreceived from both the mobile device 202 and the video content server210, and assign quality class identifier for packets and packet flows.In some embodiments, video content is provided to a user's mobile device202 according to a user subscription to a video content service. Asubscriber profile repository (SPR) can store user subscriptionprofiles. The PCRF of the edge server 206 can retrieve the usersubscription profile when a user of mobile device 202 requests videocontent, and provides the video content from the video content server210 according to the user subscription profile. In additionalembodiments, the user subscription profile can record informationregarding the default bearer path 212 and the dedicated bearer path 216and ways in which each is associated with the pre-fetch frames andemergent frames, respectively, as well as quality of service assignmentsto flows carrying pre-fetch frames and flows carrying emergent frames.

Referring to FIG. 2B, system 220 includes a group of frames 222 of videocontent, a user viewpoint 226 and frames 224 needed by a mobile device202 to present video content according to the user viewpoint 226.Referring to FIG. 2C, a predicted viewpoint 226 a is shown thatcomprises two of the frames 222 a from user viewpoint 226 and a group ofpre-fetch frames 227 that are requested by mobile device 202 from theedge server 206. The requests for the group of pre-fetch frames 227 andthe group of pre-fetch frames 227 themselves are provided to the mobiledevice 202 from the edge server 206 over the default bearer path 212.

Referring to FIG. 2D, the mobile device 202 was incorrect with regard tothe predicted user viewpoint 226 a in FIG. 2B. Instead, the useradjusted her/his head movement to a current user viewpoint 226 b, whichcomprises not only frames 222 b from the previous user viewpoint 226 butalso emergent frames 228. The requests for the group of emergent frames228 and the group of emergent frames 228 themselves are provided to themobile device 202 from the edge server 206 over the dedicated bearerpath 216 to reduce the likelihood of the presentation of the videocontent for the frames 228 stalling while waiting to receive them fromthe edge server 206 because frames requests and frames transmitted alongthe dedicated bearer path 216 can be transmitted more quickly that onthe default bearer path 212. This may be due to the system 200allocating more bandwidth to the dedicated bearer path 216 than thedefault bearer path 212 and/or the amount of traffic (e.g. requestsframes) that are allowed to be transmitted on the dedicated bearer path216 is limited compared to the default bearer path 212.

Referring to FIG. 2E, one or more embodiments can include a system 230that includes an edge server 206. Further, the edge server 206 caninclude a system 231 that include a user flow controller 232, lowpriority queues 234, 236, a high priority queue 238, and a scheduler240. The user flow controller 232 can obtain frames for video contentfrom a video content server in response to requests for the frames froma mobile device. In some embodiments, some requests can be for pre-fetchframes, and in other embodiments, other requests can be for emergentframes. As the user flow controller 232 receives pre-fetch frames forfuture predicted viewpoints as well as emergent frames for a currentviewpoint, the user flow controller 232 places the frames on thedifferent priority queues 234, 236, 238. In further embodiments, theuser flow controller 232 can place the pre-fetch frames on the lowpriority queues 234, 236 and can place the emergent frames on the highpriority queue 238 according to a subscription profile associated withthe video content and/or user of the mobile device. That is, the edgeserver 206 can obtain the subscription profile from a subscriptionprofile repository in response to detecting the mobile device orreceiving requests for frames (pre-fetch frames or emergent frames) forthe video content. The subscription profile can indicate that pre-fetchframes 234 a, 234 b, 234 c, 236 a, 236 b can be placed in low priorityqueues 234, 236 associated with a low priority packet flow and thesubscription profile can indicate that emergent frames 238 a, 238 b, 238c can be placed in high priority queue 238. In additional embodiments,the scheduler 240 can receive frames from the different priority queues234, 236, 238. In some embodiments, if the scheduler 240 receives a(pre-fetch) frame from a low priority queue 234, 236, then the scheduler240 can transmit the (pre-fetch) frame on the default bearer path to themobile device. In other embodiments, if the scheduler 240 receives a(n)(emergent) frames from the high priority queue 240, then the scheduler240 can transmit the (emergent) frame on the dedicated bearer path tothe mobile device.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E, in one or more embodiments with respect todedicated bearer setup for emergent frames, the emergent update (i.e.request) includes the following procedures. In some embodiments, theclient sends emergent requests for emergent frames with a separate flowfrom pre-fetch (normal) frames. In other embodiments, the edge server(e.g. LTE entity) involved in uplink request transmission scheduleresources (e.g. bandwidth) for dedicated bearer carrying uplink emergentrequest. In further embodiments, the edge server (i.e. server side)receives an emergent request from a mobile device over an LTE networkand sends emergent frames back with the flow with the same as subscriberprofile (SRP) side flow specification. In additional embodiments, theedge server (e.g. LTE entity) receives emergent frames from a videocontent server and then schedules more resources (e.g. bandwidth) to thededicated bearer carrying downlink emergent frames.

In one or more embodiments, for example, N1, N2, . . . Nn and E1, E2, .. . Em to denote the original panoramic video (pre-fetch/normal) framesand emergent frames, respectively. The client side (e.g. mobile device)can have two flow specifications for panoramic video playbackapplications. For example, normal frames N1, N2, . . . Nn can be sentthrough port number P1 and emergent frames E1, E2, . . . Em can be sentthrough port number P2. The edge server can add a subscription profilesuch as (Flow-P1, QCI1) and (Flow-P2, QCI2) to the subscription profilerepository associated to the user, mobile device or video content. Thenthe PCRF on the edge server can fetch these two profiles. When theclient side (e.g. mobile device) starts panoramic video playbackapplication, the client side (e.g. mobile device) can first send a smallpacket through port P2. When the PCRF on the edge server detects theflow matches with profile (Flow-P2, QCI2), the PCRF can signal thegateway (P-GW) to set up a dedicated bearer for Flow-P2. The PCRF canalso specify Flow-P2 with higher QoS parameters. When the mobile deviceneeds an emergent frame, E1 for example, it sends request for E1 throughport P2. The edge server and any other LTE entities involved withtransmission serves Flow-P2 with higher priority. When the edge serversends emergent frame E1 back, all LTE entities involved with downlinktransmission serves with higher priority.

One or more embodiments can use existing flow classification controllerin the LTE network. Embodiments can include client side flow separationthat can be implemented with other panoramic video streaming approachesand applications. Moreover, embodiments can also be applied to otherlatency sensitive application, such as cloud gaming, mobile AR, etc.

FIGS. 2F-2G depict illustrative embodiments of methods in accordancewith various aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, themethods 250, 270 shown in FIGS. 2F-2G can implemented by an edge serveras shown in FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2F, the method 250 can includethe edge server, at 252, receiving, over a communication network, testpackets from a mobile device over a candidate dedicated bearer path.Further, the method 250 can include the edge server, at 254, generating,at least in part, the dedicated bearer path over the candidate dedicatedbearer path in response to identifying the test packets received fromthe mobile device over the candidate dedicated bearer path. In addition,the method 250 can include the edge server, at 256, receiving, over thecommunication network, a plurality of requests for frames of videocontent to provide to the mobile device. Also, the method 250 caninclude the edge server, at 258, determining a first portion of theplurality of requests are for pre-fetch frames of the video content.This first portion of the plurality of requests for pre-fetch frames canbe received over a default bearer path. Further, the method 250 caninclude the edge server, at 260, providing, over the communicationnetwork, the pre-fetch frames to the mobile device over the defaultbearer path. In addition, the method 250 can include the edge server, at262, determining a second portion of the plurality of requests are foremergent frames of the video content. This second portion of theplurality of requests for emergent frames can be received over adedicated bearer path. Further, the method 250 can include the edgeserver, at 264, providing, over the communication network, the emergentframes to the mobile device over the dedicated bearer path.

Referring to FIG. 2G, in some embodiments, the portions of method 270can be implemented in between, or in parallel to, portions of method250. In one or more embodiments, the method 270 can include the edgeserver, at 272, detecting the mobile device communicatively coupled tothe communication network. In some embodiments, the edge server candetect the mobile device after generating (at least in part) thededicated bearer path but prior to the mobile device requesting framesof the video content. Further, the method 270 can include the edgeserver, at 274, indicating to a subscription profile repository to addor modify a subscription profile for the video content regarding packetflows. The subscription profile includes a first packet flowspecification for a first packet flow carrying pre-fetch frames and asecond packet flow specification for a second packet flow carryingemergent frames. The subscription profile can be directed to the mobiledevice and/or the user of the mobile device and can list quality ofservice information to provide video content to the mobile device/user.

In further embodiments, after the edge server receives requests for bothpre-fetch frames and emergent frames of the video content, the method270 can include the edge server, at 276, obtaining a subscriptionprofile from the subscription profile repository. In addition, themethod 270 can include the edge server, at 278, obtaining the emergentframes from the video content server and placing, by a user flowcontroller of the edge server, the emergent frames in the second packetflow. Moreover, the providing of the emergent frames to the mobiledevice as shown in FIG. 2F and described in method 250 can compriseproviding, by a scheduler of the edge server, the emergent frames to themobile device over the communication network over the dedicated bearerpath in response to comprise receiving, by the scheduler, the emergentframes from the second packet flow. Also, the method 270 can include theedge server, at 280, obtaining the pre-fetch frames from the videocontent server, and placing, by a user flow controller, the pre-fetchframes in the first packet flow. Moreover, the providing of thepre-fetch frames to the mobile device as shown in FIG. 2F and describedin method 250 can comprise providing, by the scheduler of the edgeserver, the pre-fetch frames to the mobile device over the communicationnetwork over the default bearer path in response to comprise receiving,by the scheduler, the pre-fetch frames from the first packet flow.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 2F and2G, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks mayoccur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks fromwhat is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustratedblocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.

Further, portions of embodiments described herein can be combined withportions of other embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of system 200, 230 and methods250, 270 presented in FIGS. 1, 2A-2G and 3. For example, virtualizedcommunication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part providingemergent frames of video content over a dedicated bearer path on thecommunication network 300 and providing pre-fetch frames of the videocontent over a default bearer path on the communication network 300.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1), suchas an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part providing emergent frames of videocontent over a dedicated bearer path on the communication network andproviding pre-fetch frames of the video content over a default bearerpath on the communication network. The computing environment 400 can beincorporated in whole or in part into mobile device 202, edge server206, and/or video content server 210 as shown in FIG. 2A.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10 BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part providing emergent frames of video content over adedicated bearer path on the mobile network and providing pre-fetchframes of the video content over a default bearer path on the mobilenetwork. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 cangenerate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stationsor access points such as base station or access point 122. Generally,mobile network platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes,gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitateboth packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part providingemergent frames of video content over a dedicated bearer path on thecommunication network and providing pre-fetch frames of the videocontent over a default bearer path on the communication network. Thecomputing device 600 can be the mobile device 202, edge server 206,and/or video content server 210 as shown in FIG. 2A.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: receiving, over a communicationnetwork, a plurality of requests for frames of video content to provideto a mobile device; determining a first portion of the plurality ofrequests are for pre-fetch frames of the video content; providing, overthe communication network, the pre-fetch frames to the mobile deviceover a default bearer path; determining a second portion of theplurality of requests are for emergent frames of the video content; andproviding, over the communication network, the emergent frames to themobile device over a dedicated bearer path, wherein a subscriptionprofile repository adds a subscription profile for the video content,wherein the subscription profile includes a first packet flowspecification for a first packet flow carrying the pre-fetch frames anda second packet flow specification for a second packet flow carrying theemergent frames.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise receiving, over the communication network, test packetsfrom the mobile device over a candidate dedicated bearer path.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise generatingthe dedicated bearer path over the candidate dedicated bearer path inresponse to identifying the test packets received from the mobile deviceover the candidate dedicated bearer path.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations comprise obtaining the emergent frames from avideo content server.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the operationscomprise placing, by a user flow controller, the emergent frames in thesecond packet flow.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the providing ofthe emergent frames to the mobile device comprises providing, by ascheduler, the emergent frames to the mobile device over thecommunication network over the dedicated bearer path in response tocomprise receiving, by the scheduler, the emergent frames from thesecond packet flow.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the operationscomprise: obtaining the pre-fetch frames from a video content server;and placing, by a user flow controller, the pre-fetch frames in thefirst packet flow.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the providing ofthe pre-fetch frames to the mobile device comprises providing, by ascheduler, the pre-fetch frames to the mobile device over thecommunication network over the default bearer path in response tocomprise receiving, by the scheduler, the pre-fetch frames from thefirst packet flow.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: detecting the mobile device communicatively coupled tothe communication network; and obtaining a subscription profile from asubscription profile repository.
 10. A non-transitory, machine-readablemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: receiving, over a communicationnetwork, test packets from a mobile device over a candidate dedicatedbearer path; generating a dedicated bearer path over the candidatededicated bearer path in response to identifying the test packetsreceived from the mobile device over the candidate dedicated bearerpath; receiving, over the communication network, a plurality of requestsfor frames of video content to provide to the mobile device; determininga first portion of the plurality of requests are for pre-fetch frames ofthe video content; providing, over the communication network, thepre-fetch frames to the mobile device over a default bearer path;determining a second portion of the plurality of requests are foremergent frames of the video content; and providing, over thecommunication network, the emergent frames to the mobile device over thededicated bearer path, wherein a subscription profile repository adds asubscription profile for the video content, wherein the subscriptionprofile includes a first packet flow specification for a first packetflow carrying the pre-fetch frames and a second packet flowspecification for a second packet flow carrying the emergent frames. 11.The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein theoperations comprise obtaining the emergent frames from a video contentserver.
 12. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 11,wherein the operations comprise placing, by a user flow controller, theemergent frames in the second packet flow.
 13. The non-transitory,machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the providing of theemergent frames to the mobile device comprises providing, by ascheduler, the emergent frames to the mobile device over thecommunication network over the dedicated bearer path in response tocomprise receiving, by the scheduler, the emergent frames from thesecond packet flow.
 14. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium ofclaim 10, wherein the operations comprise: obtaining the pre-fetchframes from a video content server; and placing, by a user flowcontroller, the pre-fetch frames in the first packet flow.
 15. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein theproviding of the pre-fetch frames to the mobile device comprisesproviding, by a scheduler, the pre-fetch frames to the mobile deviceover the communication network over the default bearer path in responseto comprise receiving, by the scheduler, the pre-fetch frames from thefirst packet flow.
 16. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium ofclaim 10, wherein the operations further comprise: detecting the mobiledevice communicatively coupled to the communication network; andobtaining a subscription profile from a subscription profile repository.17. A method, comprising: receiving, by a processing system including aprocessor, over a communication network, a plurality of requests forframes of video content to provide to a mobile device; determining, bythe processing system, a first portion of the plurality of requests arefor pre-fetch frames of the video content and determining, by theprocessing system, a second portion of the plurality of requests are foremergent frames of the video content; obtaining, by the processingsystem, the pre-fetch frames from a video content server and obtaining,by the processing system, the emergent frames from the video contentserver; placing, by the processing system, the pre-fetch frames on afirst packet flow according to a subscription profile and placing, bythe processing system, the emergent frames on a second packet flowaccording to the subscription profile, wherein a subscription profilerepository adds the subscription profile for the video content, whereinthe subscription profile includes a first packet flow specification forthe first packet flow carrying pre-fetch frames and a second packet flowspecification for the second packet flow carrying emergent frames;providing, by the processing system, over the communication network, thepre-fetch frames to the mobile device over a default bearer path; andproviding, by the processing system, over the communication network, theemergent frames to the mobile device over a dedicated bearer path. 18.The method of claim 17, comprising receiving, by the processing system,over the communication network, test packets from the mobile device overa candidate dedicated bearer path.
 19. The method of claim 18,comprising generating the dedicated bearer path over the candidatededicated bearer path in response to identifying the test packetsreceived from the mobile device over the candidate dedicated bearerpath.
 20. The method of claim 17, comprising: detecting the mobiledevice communicatively coupled to the communication network; andobtaining the subscription profile from the subscription profilerepository.